ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the evidence supporting the family as a critically important system for primordial and primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and provides suggestions for clinical and public health practice as well as future research. Primordial and primary prevention must begin early in life in order to optimize cardiovascular health across the life course. Despite the substantial declines in cardiovascular mortality, CVD remains a major cause of both morbidity and mortality in the United States. Evidence has accumulated indicating that atherosclerotic and hypertensive processes begin early in life and are influenced over time by the interaction of genetic factors and potentially modifiable behaviors and environmental exposures. Families are complex social systems composed of sub-systems that interact to influence each other in a reciprocal manner. Children initially observe and acquire health behaviors within the family environment they share with parents/caregivers.
